AHL Peoria Rivermen

Payne Hired as Assistant Coach

Published on May 24, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


Peoria, Ill. (May 24, 2007) - Peoria Rivermen General Manager of Hockey Operations Kevin McDonald announced today that Davis Payne, 2006-07 ECHL Coach of the Year, has agreed to terms on a two-year contract to become an assistant coach.

Payne, 36, arrives in Peoria after establishing a .691 winning percentage over four years as head coach for the Alaska Aces, the Rivermen ECHL affiliate. In addition to leading the Aces to the 2006 ECHL Kelly Cup Championship, he guided them to three consecutive trips to the Conference Finals; it was the first time in 15 years and only the second time in ECHL history that a team advanced to the ECHL's Final Four in three straight seasons. Thirty-eight (38) of Alaska's 48 lifetime playoff wins came under Payne's direction, as his winning percentage in the playoffs (38-21, .644) nearly matched that of his four regular seasons in Alaska.

Payne, who owns a 289-142-45 (.654 winning percentage) in seven seasons as an ECHL head coach between Alaska and the Pee Dee (S.C.) Pride, remains second all-time in ECHL history with 50 postseason victories, 12 of which came during his three years with Pee Dee.

Payne, a graduate of NCAA Division I Michigan Tech, appeared in 22 NHL games with the Boston Bruins during his eight-year playing career that spanned 464 games with 324 points (155g, 169a).

Rivermen full season ticket packages are available now and start at just $395 per seat. Please contact Wendy Mitchell at 309-680-3763 or wmitchell@rivermen.net.

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American Hockey League Stories from May 24, 2007


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